Morrison, Jones Fuel Comeback over Mount Vernon
Mt. Vernon, Ohio - Phillip Morrison (Louisville, Ky.) was at it again on Friday night, scoring all 10 Eagle points in overtime and hitting the game winning three with five seconds left to give Asbury (3-1) the win 85-84 over Mount Vernon Nazarene (2-1).
Justin Jones (Hazard, Ky.) hit the game-tying layup with one second left in regulation to send the game into the extra session at 75-75. A key defensive series gave the Eagles a chance at the tie after Adam Delph blocked a shot and Brian Johnson got a steal to set up Jones' layup which was assisted by Morrison.
Morrison hit five-of-six free throws in the extra session, a layup, and the game winning three on his way to a career high 36 points. He scored 16 in the first half, 10 in the second, and then all 10 of Asbury's points in the final period. Morrison was 12-of-17 from the field and hit five threes and seven-of-eight from the foul line, his miss was his first of the season. He also had a team high five assists in playing 43 minutes.
Jones nearly had a triple-double in arguably his best game as a collegian with eight points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocks. He was four-for-five from the field in the game. Brian Johnson was the only other Eagle in double-figures with 11 points. He also had nine rebounds, four assists, and one timely steal.
Asbury went into halftime down by one, 37-36 then saw MVNU push their lead to double digits in the first six minutes of the second half and up to it's highest at 14 with just over 12 minutes remaining in regulation. The Eagles finally kept the Cougar lead under 10 when Delph hit a three with under six minutes remaining. Asbury's biggest lead came at 18-11 with 9:13 left in the first half. There were seven ties.
Asbury struggled at the free throw line, hitting only 12-of-24 but shot 49% from the floor and connected on 11 threes. MVNU shot only 40% from the floor and hit only four threes. The Cougars led the rebounding battle 48-40. Mount Vernon had five players in double figures scoring led by Brandon Short's 17.
The Eagles will take on Wilberforce (Ohio) on Saturday at 4:00pm. Asbury will host the Christian College Invitational next weekend, November 20th and 21st. Asbury will play Friday at 8:00 pm and Saturday at 4:00 pm.
